Windows 7 Automatic Updates - should you pick and choose?

[radhak]

I helped a friend install Windows 7 Home Premium (a clean install, not 'upgrade') last month. Now she has a question - should she pick and choose the auto-updates thrown at her by MS?

She has meticulously made a list of the updates with comments (below). Does it make sense to skip any?

My first thought was she shd not skip any update, even the optional ones (that's how I do mine); but want a second opinion from y'all here.



[FONT=&quot]Important Updates[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]1. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Windows Internet Explorer 9 for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Download size: 36.7 MB - I run IE8, so didn't plan to do this[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]2. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool x64 - October 2011 (KB890830) Download size: 14.9 MB - I now use Malebytes, so I didn't plan to do this one, unless it makes sense[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]3. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Microsoft Office File Validation Add-in Download size: 1.9 MB - I have Norton to protect me, so I didn't plan to do this, unless it makes sense[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]4. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]The 2007 Microsoft Office Suite Service Pack 3 (SP3)[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Download size: 281.5 MB - I think this one makes sense, so I think I should do this[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Optional Updates[/FONT][FONT=&quot] (Not sure the ?? are needed or even make sense for me to do )[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]1. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]IDT - Audio - IDT High Definition Audio CODEC Download size: 4.5 - ?? [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]2. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]MBIntel Corporation - Display - Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family Download size: 20.1 MB - ??[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]3. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Microsoft driver update for Realtek RTL8102E/RTL8103E Family PCI-E Fast Ethernet NIC (NDIS 6.20) Download size: 388 KB - ??[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]4. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Microsoft Silverlight (KB2617986) Download size: 6.0 MB - ??[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]5. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Synaptics - Input - Synaptics PS/2 Port TouchPad Download size: 16.5 MB - ??[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]6. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2607576)[/FONT][FONT=&quot] D[/FONT][FONT=&quot]ownload size: 7.2 MB - This one may make sense as it resolves some issues per the explanation[/FONT]

 

[MrChad]

I would not skip any important updates unless she has a very good reason to do so (i.e. she is a developer, IT administrator or other power user and has specific reasons for skipping the updates).

All 4 of the important updates you listed are worthwhile. IE9 is far and away a better browser than IE8. The Malicious Software Removal tool will not interfere with MalwareBytes or other anti-spyware software. Microsoft Office File Validation will help protect her from malicious office files and will not interfere with Norton. Any service packs and security updates are automatic installs for me.

Most of the optional updates are driver updates. I would leave those alone unless she has a problem with a particular device.

 

[bruceb]

I would suggest she install #1, #3 and #4 .. #2 you do not really need, but it won't hurt if you do take it. Microsoft Silverlight you should probably take. Anything to do with drivers, I leave alone (unless something is not working as it should and even then I do not trust a driver for hardware by Microsoft)

 

[MrChad]

I would suggest she install #1, #3 and #4 .. #2 you do not really need, but it won't hurt if you do take it. Microsoft Silverlight you should probably take. Anything to do with drivers, I leave alone (unless something is not working as it should and even then I do not trust a driver for hardware by Microsoft)

The drivers available on Windows Update are developed by the manufacturer, not Microsoft, and submitted to Microsoft for WHQL certification. They tend to be a bit outdated versus what you can download directly from the manufacturer (not all driver revisions are submitted for certification), but they are otherwise typically safe to install.

 

[radhak]

Great! That was my initial response to her : that she allow all those updates other than IE 9; and that exception was only because she is not keen on newer software and wanted to keep using IE8.

I have not used IE9 yet, so was not sure myself. But I'll pass on your recommendation (and maybe I'll upgrade myself too!)..

Thanks for the explanation, guys!

 

[bruceb]

You should take IE9 .. it is said to be better and safer than even IE8 (my old XP pc can't run IE9, so I stick with Firefox / Opera and IE8)

 

[Pacman4]

I always DL everything, never a problem, including GPU driver updates.